The suggestion at the weekend was that Lerner was looking to recoup a figure of around £200million for a club he bought in 2006 for £62.6m, and after spending £250m on players and upgrading facilities.

But chief executive Paul Faulkner has refuted the speculation and insisted Lerner has no intention of walking away.

Quoted in the Express and Star, Faulkner said: "I can categorically confirm Aston Villa Football Club has absolutely not been put up for sale and that Randy Lerner is not actively looking to sell the club."